Volumе 4 - Тhе Вrоnzе Sрarrow оf Сhаng’аn Sings
Сhapter 347: Тhе Bronzе Sparrоw оf Сhаng'аn Sings 1
Тhey аrrived in the capital during thе sеcоnd watсh, with thе mооn weаving thrоugh thе сlоuds. Aрart from the Рingkаng Ward, whеre taverns, tеahousеs, and the Qinlоu Сhu Раviliоn wеrе still bustling with noise аnd аctivitу, аll thе othеr wards hаd аlreadу сlosеd their gates. Оnly the oссаsionаl night watchman соuld bе heаrd bеаting his gоng аnd drum, rеminding pеоplе of thе dry weаther аnd urging саution with firе аnd саndles.
A rider gаlloped to the сity gate аnd presеnted thе gоlden tоken engraved with the auspicious qilin beast, exclusive to the Grand Cabinet. The gatekeeper hurriedly opened the gates.
Shen Du and the others filed in. Jing Lin led the Inner Guards back to the Inner Guard Bureau to rest, while Shen Du, with Zhu Yan in tow, raced toward the palace without stopping.
The palace walls loomed tall and oppressive, the passageways dimly lit, with only the faint red glow of lanterns hanging on the walls.
Zhu Yan couldn’t help but draw closer to Shen Du. She hadn’t been to the palace many times—the last visit was after the Buddha Devours Sins incident when she was summoned by the Empress. Entering the palace at night this time, coupled with the long journey, left her feeling quite tense.
The Weiyang Palace was originally silent, with palace lanterns extinguished everywhere except in the Diligent Governance Hall. However, upon Shen Du and Zhu Yan’s arrival, palace attendants hurriedly draped on their robes and came out to relight the lanterns.
Shen Du reassured Zhu Yan not to be afraid and escorted her to the Diligent Governance Hall, where Zhou Zhao was still reviewing memorials.
Though she had always known the Empress was diligent in governance and cared for the people, witnessing it firsthand still stirred emotions. Governing a nation was no easy task.
Shen Du succinctly recounted the entire process of handling cases in Yingzhou over the past few months, omitting any unnecessary details. However, he deliberately left out the crucial information that Lai Luofu had died.
Zhu Yan lowered her head, stealing a few glances at Shen Du, and smoothly kept this matter hidden as well.
The memorial reporting the results of the assignment had not yet arrived, so the Empress had only just learned of Mo Qianzhi’s death, the rebel army’s suppression, and the complete annihilation of the Half-Faced Ghost. Naturally, she was very pleased and satisfied. She summoned Zhang Baohuan to discuss rewards for their merits.
Upon hearing the news, Zhang Baohuan was also delighted. He hadn’t dared to rest and was currently overseeing the imperial kitchen as they prepared a calming and brain-nourishing tonic for the Empress. Setting down the bowl of soup, he immediately began grinding ink and picking up his brush.
The Empress pondered for a moment. “Well… there isn’t much left to reward Shen Qing with. What should be done?”
As the head of the Grand Cabinet, Shen Du oversaw officials of all ranks. Even the Prime Minister Zhang had to show him deference, and only the Judicial Affairs Bureau could rival his authority. Moreover, he was already a first-rank official, with no higher position to promote him to.
Zhang Baohuan, dipping his brush in ink beside her, smiled and reminded her, “Then bestow a noble title and arrange a dozen or twenty beautiful companions. Grand Secretary Shen has worked hard and achieved great merit—he deserves such a reward. Besides, having served the nation diligently, Grand Secretary Shen should also lay down his heavy responsibilities and retire to enjoy his later years.”
This was a clear attempt to sideline Shen Du after using him up. Everyone knew that receiving a noble title was essentially equivalent to being put out to pasture.
Zhu Yan’s heart skipped a beat, her eyelids twitched nervously, and her palms grew sweaty as she worried for Shen Du.
Shen Du straightened his back, his expression remaining cold and composed. The Empress observed him for a moment before suddenly turning and tossing an inkstone from the table into Zhang Baohuan’s arms, scolding him with a laugh:
“Without even asking Shen Qing what he thinks, you’ve already made decisions on his behalf. It’s all because I’ve spoiled you into speaking without restraint. Fortunately, Shen Qing is not an outsider, or I’d have your tongue cut off and thrown outside the city to feed the dogs.”
Zhang Baohuan hastily knelt and begged for mercy. “Your Majesty, forgive me. Baohuan knows he was wrong.”
After this playful exchange, Zhu Yan began to grasp the underlying meaning. As she pondered, the Empress’s voice came again:
“What does Shen Qing think? Is there any reward you desire? Just speak, and I will surely grant it.”
She paused, glancing at Zhu Yan, who had been keeping her head lowered in silence."If you have no objections to the suggestion made earlier by Supervisor Zhang, I may consider it."
Shen Du quickly pulled Zhu Yan to kneel, his phoenix eyes slightly lowered, concealing his emotions as he calmly said:
"This is merely my duty; I require no reward. Moreover, during this mission to Yingzhou, Chief Clerk Zhu Yan contributed greatly. Without her, the journey would not have proceeded so smoothly, and it is uncertain whether I would have returned alive to see Your Majesty. If rewards are to be given, Chief Clerk Zhu Yan deserves them."
This was a clear attribution of credit to Zhu Yan. Startled, Zhu Yan was about to speak when Shen Du pressed her down. Her heart raced, truly frightened by the situation.
The Empress nodded, her eyes smiling into slits. "So you are seeking a reward for your own wife. It seems this trip to Yingzhou has deepened the bond between you two. I have done a good deed, then."
Shen Du bowed steadily. "Your Majesty is wise."
"Very well," the Empress leaned back against the dragon throne, her posture languid. "If Minister Shen truly sought a marquisate as a reward, I fear I would lose a pillar of the court. Since the reward cannot go to the Hall Leader of the Grand Cabinet, let it go to the Hall Leader's Wife instead."
Only then did Zhu Yan grasp the meaning: the Empress was wary of Shen Du and did not wish to reward him, yet she could not openly refuse. Thus, she and Xu Wan performed a duet, and with Shen Du's astute self-preservation, the matter was settled.
However, the Yingzhou mission was of great importance, and not giving any reward would appear unseemly. So, rewarding her made everyone happy.
Was this a case of reaping rewards without lifting a finger? She found it both laughable and exasperating.
As Zhang Baohuan took up the brush to draft the edict, the Empress dictated. When she reached the end, her deep eyes glanced at them a few times, her expression solemn:
"I heard you two encountered calamities in Yingzhou and nearly lost your lives. In the coming days, return home to rest and recuperate. Imperial physicians will be dispatched to tend to your health."
Shen Du and Zhu Yan replied in unison, "We thank Your Majesty for your boundless grace."
The Empress paused for a moment, then walked up to Zhu Yan. She lifted Zhu Yan's chin with her hand, examining her carefully. Seeing that Zhu Yan dared not meet her gaze, she said displeasedly:
"Look up."
Only then did Zhu Yan tremulously raise her head. She saw that the Empress had let down her hair and changed out of the dragon robe into a twilight-cloud gauze gown embroidered with phoenixes. Yet her noble bearing and innate regal aura remained undiminished. Zhu Yan could not help but lower her head again:
"Your humble servant is overwhelmed with fear."
The Empress chuckled. "Let me ask you: the usual rewards have already been granted. Does Minister Zhu desire any additional rewards?"
Seeing Zhu Yan's bewildered and youthful demeanor, a rare smile touched the Empress's eyes as she hinted:
"Even if it concerns Minister Shen, it would be permissible."
Suddenly understanding, Zhu Yan felt the overwhelming tension dissipate. She hurriedly said:
"Your humble servant requires no special rewards. I thank Your Majesty for your boundless grace."
The Empress narrowed her eyes slightly, appearing somewhat displeased. "Minister Zhu, think carefully. Opportunities like this do not come often."
It was indeed true. Zhu Yan clasped her hands and bowed sincerely:
"Every word I speak is true. I desire no rewards; I only wish for a clear and peaceful world."
As soon as these words were spoken, the oppressive atmosphere in the imperial study dissipated entirely. The Empress covered her face and laughed, any trace of displeasure gone:
"Minister Zhu, as a woman, concerns herself with the world. Truly, you are a pillar of the state. What Great Zhou needs are officials like you."
After exchanging a few more casual remarks, Shen Du took Zhu Yan's hand, thanked the imperial grace, and took their leave.
Once outside the Daming Palace, as they reached the main Zhuque Street, the fourth watch's gong sounded. Only then did Zhu Yan feel as if she had awakened from a dream. A cold wind blew, and the cold sweat on her back made her shiver involuntarily.Shen Du noticed, tightening his arms around her. He lowered his head to place a kiss on Zhu Yan’s hair, saying nothing more. With a sharp kick to the horse’s flank, they were home in no time.
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